My Background
I was fortunate to have the amazing opportunity to be gifted the new Ardo Melia double breast pump in return for an honest review of the product. As a midwife I am aware of the multiple brands available and how confusing it can be to know which product to go for and more importantly that everyone is different in terms of what works for them. I know this all too well as I am now on my 2nd breastfeeding/pumping journey with my second child. My first breastfeeding journey was not plain sailing as I found a lot of products didn’t work for me as I was faced with many barriers from struggling to find a good fit for my breasts, to being unable to pump a consistent good milk output without causing pain and discomfort. For this reason, I was determined to find something this time that worked for me that made pumping easier being a busy mum of two. Therefore, when Ardo was willing to give me this opportunity, I was very eager to try one of their products due to their good reputation. However, my review is not influenced in any way by this and is my honest and personal opinion on my experience using the pump.
First Impressions
The delivery of the product was amazing as I received it the following day which I believe is important considering how essential these products are to the user. One of my initial discoveries when opening the box is that it was well packaged and there were the nipple sizing cut outs are on the inside of the box itself which is a genius idea, making it easier to find the right size for you (as this is not something that I have found to be provided with alternative products). You immediate get a sense that they care about the consumer and want you to get the most out of the product. Out of all the pumps I’ve used this is the first one I’ve come across with this included as most others require you to source this yourself. I personally didn’t require it as I already did know my size and had ordered the inserts to use alongside the pump but its good tool for someone who might be struggling. Another massive bonus is you get a double pump as standard, meaning you don’t need to purchase 2 pumps separately.
The product itself is very compact, lightweight and attractive looking, with the parts being very high quality and very easy to put together. Everything you need comes with the pumps including bra extenders which I found very useful and was a nice touch. The pumps do come with 24mm breast shields and 19mm inserts which again is excellent to receive as standard, my only suggestion would be to include an option for the consumer to be able to choose the size insert at purchase rather than just receiving the 19mm, as for some people like me, an additional set would need to be purchased for it to be useful.
Using the pump
The pump is very easy to use and has a good variety of settings for you to find a mode that works for you. I found I did have a few teething issues with getting the pump to work for me but the customer service team are absolutely fantastic, providing me with lots of support and guidance which allowed me to get the most out of the pump and did rectify the issues I was having. It also made me more aware of how much the environmental elements and stress levels can contribute to the success of a pumping session regardless of equipment.
My historical experiences of wearable breast pumps in particular was very poor, and I gave up with them during my 1st journey, but much to my surprise the Melia has been a game changer for me. They are relatively easy to put together and use, with the hardest aspect being to ensure your nipple is centred correctly, but once you have used a few times this soon becomes second nature. The seal is excellent, and I have had no issues at all with leaking during use, even when doing light housework which gives you the ability to be mobile whilst pumping if required. Whilst wearing them they are so comfortable thanks to the silicone shield which fit my breast more naturally, and I feel this added to the overall comfort during the pumping session, to the point where at time I couldn’t even tell they were on in some instances. The vacuum power is powerful but also so gentle at the same time further adding to the comfort level.
The pump is also very customizable to the user allowing you up to 15 adjustable vacuum levels; having this function allowed me to easily find a level that was comfortable and most effective for me. The pumps LED display is very user friendly giving you useful information including the mode and how long you have been pumping. The buttons are located at the top of the pump making it very easy to switch and change modes as required. The pump does have a 20 minute cut off function; this is probably one of my least favourite functions and it would be better if this could be switched on and off, as I found that I often had to pump for at least 30 minutes to get my desired output meaning i had to frequently had to turn it back on which was a little frustrating. However, the pump does remember what setting you were using prior to shutting off so it’s very quick to resume the pumping so it isn’t the end of the world. The pump can be used discreetly and is relatively quiet, fitting nicely into your bra.
The battery life is good and allows you to get multiple pumps out of a single charge. One of the worst parts about pumping is the cleaning and sterilizing but the Melia is very compact and easy to clean which makes it even more appealing. Finally, once you have finished pumping there is a little pouring spot at the top of the shield which is very handy and stops you from spilling any milk.
Overall if you want a pump that is powerful yet comfortable, easy to maintain and most importantly portable and discrete, then I would definitely recommend the Melia. The pump has changed my perspective on wearable breast pumps as I’ve finally found one that works for me, but it has also changed my whole opinion on pumps in general, due to the quality of Ardo’s products and how comfortable their pump is compared to others I’ve used in the past. Going forward Ardo will always be my go-to as the whole experience has been such a positive one and I also feel they go the extra mile for the consumer whether that be via email, phone calls or even through there wide range of video resources on their website. Looking at the cost I feel the pumps are very affordable considering the high standard you are getting and even replacement parts/ accessories are very affordable compared to other brands on the market. Thank you again Ardo for this amazing experience and for making my breastfeeding and pumping journey this time around a better one.
